Autism: Why I Love Kids with Autism by Doris Duan-Young, eBook 2014; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker

(13% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
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13%     When my son Norden was four years old he began to exhibit some concerning behaviors. I was worried. Even with all my experience I went through all the stages of uncertainty, denial, and worry that I had seen other mothers go through.
 
Norden’s situation wasn’t extreme, but it was concerning.
 
My entire professional life has been immersed in learning how to help kids, and how to help their parents. That’s what “behavior analysts” do. At the simplest level we analyze behavior and create a plan to create new behaviors. At the deepest level we become part of the family.

​He’s Not Autistic, But…How We Pulled Our Son from the Mouth of the Abyss by Tenna Merchent, eBooks 2007; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
 
(52% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
 
52%     I didn’t want Clay to be diagnosed with autism, even if it was just Asperger’s.
 
I didn’t want him going through his whole life with that label, and the burden of being required to tell teachers, counselors, and anyone else who might care for him.
 
52%     I was afraid it would influence their expectations of him and his behavior, and become a self-fulfilling prophecy. At this point in time I had taken Clay to anyone I thought might be able to help.

• Two pediatricians
• Osteopath
• Homeopath
• Ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT)
• Allergist
• Naturopath
• Emotional healer
• Herbalist
• Speech therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Immune disorder specialist

The osteopath and herbalist were the only two who seemed to be helping. All the others said they could help, but we didn’t see any results.
 
With the strict allergy diet, and removal of incoming aluminum, Clay’s head-banging and toe-walking had almost stopped, but he still wasn’t speaking. He was cranky, sickly, and not sleeping well.

​Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed: Growing Up with Autism by Jeannie Davide-Rivera, eBooks 2013 Edition; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
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(4% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).

4%     They missed it; they missed me.  I am a survivor; an autism survivor.
 
< My Thoughts >       “They missed it; they missed me.”
 
On the Autism Speaks website they explain that…  “…until a child or adult begins to have serious difficulties in school, the workplace, or their lives,” they will probably go undiagnosed.  There may be other diagnoses such as anxiety issues, hyperactivity or other ‘behavioral issues,’ which will bring them to the attention of teachers and coworkers.
 
4%   I’ve heard people say that they didn’t see many autistic children when they were growing up, but I am here to tell you that we indeed were in your midst

Making Peace with Autism: One Family’s Story of Struggle, Discovery & Unexpected Gifts, by Susan Senator, eBook  2006; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker

(7% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).

7%       Nat was a beautiful baby, with tufts of white blond hair and violet eyes. But almost immediately, there was the rumble of distant thunder.

10%     “Nat should be able to do more.” Silence (from my husband). And then “Well, he can’t he’s his own person, that’s all. Don’t compare him to (his cousin) Quinn.” “I can’t help it. It doesn’t seem right. He can’t play.” “He can play! He just did!”  The tension between us grew.

12%     Overlooking his eccentricities, we began to feel confident that he was actually gifted. A tiny seedling of hope unfurled within me.
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13%     To me, it was like a bad dream. Our sunny, silent, compliant little boy was changing into a stormy, loud, difficult child.
 
My friend Merle said, “I think you need to take him to your pediatrician and talk to her about this.” “I’ve tried to talk to her!” I said to Merle. “She doesn’t think there’s anything wrong!” Merle shrugged.

Secondhand Autism by Paul Brodie, eBook 2013; with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker

(15% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).

15%     Autism in my family – Scott was just about 3 years old when my parents first took him to a doctor with questions about his development.  He was on track for the standard age-graded stages of development – crawling, walking, and talking, etc. – until he seemed to regress, starting between 18 and 24 months.  Scott is the fourth of my parents’ six children: Laura, me (Paul), John, Scott, Alison, and Shannon.  Alison was born around the time when Scott’s abnormal behavior started making my parents worry.
 
23%     Scott could not be autistic on his own. Our family has all been autistic with him. Initially Scott’s change in development was thought to be a reaction to my sister Alison’s birth.
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77%     Paul (Me, 31 years)  I was six and a half when Scott was born, which made me nine when he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. I remember getting picked up from elementary school by my dad one afternoon. He told us about Scott’s diagnosis.  That is all I recall from the moment, just a few frames in my mind. I don’t know if that was for the PDD-NOS diagnosis or for autism two years later.

​Seeing Ezra: A Mother’s Story of Autism, Unconditional Love, & the Meaning of Normal, by Kerry Cohen, eBook 2011; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker

​(5% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).

5%       When Ezra is almost two years old, he still isn’t consistent with sign language and he has no words, so I think about pursuing outside opinions. I call Early Intervention first, a state program that is mandated by federal law.

“What sorts of things are you concerned about?” the coordinator asks me on the phone. “I’m not concerned,” I say. I’m aware I’m pacing as we talk. “But I know he’s supposed to have a few words by now, and I figure speech therapy could help.”

“So, he isn’t talking yet. How old is he, again?” I tell her, not wanting to. “He’s twenty-one months.” “Any other concerns?”
His poor eating. No pointing. Crying when songs end. He cries in terrible despair if someone sings one of his favorite songs.

“No,” I say. “No. Just the words.” We set a date and time, and I immediately start to dread the coming appointment. In moments, I am stricken with instinctual fear. What have I done?

​The Journey to Normal: Our Family’s Life with Autism by I.D. Johnson, eBook 2014; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
 
(2% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).

2%       No one ever expects their first child to be born with differences. As a mother, it is certainly something I considered, something I worried about, but never something I actually expected to confront.
 
3%       I work as a Reading Interventionist and a Response to Intervention Coordinator in elementary school. Every day, I work with students who struggle academically and/or socially. I have had experiences with children with all sorts of disabilities, to intellectual disabilities, to autism.
 
< My Thoughts >  ….because of so many differences, one may not recognize differences in their own child.
 
Usually parent and teacher observations of a child’s differences from their peers overlap. In other words, what the parent sees at home, the teacher usually sees in the classroom. Autistic-like differences, such as: no eye contact, no peer or parent interaction, no interest in the activities of others, using gestures instead of language to have needs met, preference for sameness and rigid routines.
 
3%       Hopefully, through my experiences I can show you that it is okay to have some doubts about whether or not your child needs assistance, and I can show you why it cannot hurt to have your child evaluated…
 
The other reason I decided to write our story down is because I believe Sophie’s story is one of hope and triumph.

Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed; Growing Up with Autism by Jeannie Davide-Rivera, eBooks 2013 Edition; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker

(4% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers.)

​< My Thoughts >  In her book, Jeannie Davide-Rivera rewards us with her Aspie-ness!
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Excerpts from the book...

4%     They missed it; they missed me.  I am a survivor; an autism survivor.
 
< My Thoughts >       “They missed it; they missed me.”
 
On the Autism Speaks website they explain that…  “…until a child or adult begins to have serious difficulties in school, the workplace, or their lives,” they will probably go undiagnosed.  There may be other diagnoses such as anxiety issues, hyperactivity or other ‘behavioral issues,’ which will bring them to the attention of teachers and coworkers.
 
4%   I’ve heard people say that they didn’t see many autistic children when they were growing up, but I am here to tell you that we indeed were in your midst.
 
When they noticed me walking on tip-toes, they made me a ballerina.  When I twirled round and round, I was only dancing.  When I had imaginary friends, they said that’s what little girls do.  When the light bothered me, I was allergic to sunlight.  When smells overwhelmed me, I had a sensitive stomach.  When I only ate a few select items, I was a picky eater.  When I could not stray from my rigid routine, I was hard-headed. 
 
< My Thoughts >       “…noticed me walking on tip-toes…”
 
Retrieved from – https://www.autism.coqm/symptoms_toe_walking
Toe-walking, by Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D. (2016).  “Toe-walking is quite common in young children 3 years and younger.  However, when children “5 years and older are still walking on their toes, “…this is often associated with neurological immaturity.”  “A dysfunctional vestibular system, a common problem in autism…”  “The vestibular system prepares the brain with feedback between the brain and the body’s motion and position.  Therapeutic intervention such as swinging on a swing, prism glasses are available, as are exercises and/or surgery for the Achilles tendon.  Edelson cautions that the parents should consider whether or not the toe-walking is a safety issue when determining the cost of treatment.
​4%     When I couldn’t stand certain fabrics touching my body, I was being a princess.  When I cried and screamed, I was spoiled.  When I rocked back and forth, I was concentrating.  When I sat alone, I was in my own world. 
 
< My Thoughts >       “When I couldn’t stand certain fabrics touching my body…”
 
I didn’t find any recent peer-reviewed articles which talked about definitive studies regarding sensory issues and people with autism.  Older studies reflected the view that sensory issues were aligned with behavioral issues.  Studies seemingly were connecting sensory complaints with ‘escape’ and/or ‘non-compliance’ behavior.  Some study conclusions saw a correlation between sensory issues and hyper-activity.  And, they often found that sensory complaints were higher in people who were higher up on the autism spectrum, perhaps because they had more awareness of their discomfort… or, they had less coping mechanisms.  
 
My feeling is that sensory issues are valid and very real.  At home, the kind of soap used to wash the child or their clothes can make a real difference in their comfort level… how it smells and how it feels on their skin.  At school, the computer screen or room lights too bright, room temperature fluctuations, uncomfortable chairs, or even the smell of whiteboard markers can create real physical pain for the student; overriding any chance of the child focusing on lessons.
 
4%     When I couldn’t keep up, I was not living up to my potential.  When I didn’t think the way others did, I was just too smart for my own good.  When I didn’t connect with my peers, I just didn’t care about them.  When I misinterpreted situation, I was inconsiderate.  When I inserted myself, I was inappropriate.
 
When I stayed in my pajamas for days, I was depressed.  When I was overwhelmed by the world, I was agoraphobic.  When I was tired and frightened, I had an anxiety disorder.  When I realized something was wrong with me, I was making excuses.

​What Color is Monday?  How Autism Changed One Family for the Better by Carrie Cariello, eBooks 2015 Edition; an Extended Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker

(4% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers.)
 
< My Thoughts >
 
When you read Carrie’s book, “What Color is Monday?” you will not only learn the colors of the week (per Jack), but you will find the most beautiful and poignant letters written for her children to cherish on their birthdays.  Joyful and uplifting.

Excerpts from the book...
 
This author, Carrie Cariello, writes about how outraged she was when reading of a family whose son was recently diagnosed…
 
4%       “Woman Fights to Save Her Son!” When I read this, I felt a surge of outrage.  Save? Save?  Oh, I remember those days, when thinking that somehow we had to help our son recover from his autism. To change him. To discard his diagnosis like a caterpillar escaping a cocoon, leaving us with a beautiful, bright-eyed boy who make eye contact and loved birthday parties. Now I know better.
 
I will write her a letter telling her to relax, not to worry, that it’s all going to work out.  As I picked up my pen… I realized she probably wasn’t too interest in what I had to say.
 
But, I did think about what I wished someone had told me when Jack was first diagnosed, what I would have liked to have known.
 
So instead, I decided to write a letter to myself, dated the day two-year-old Jack was diagnosed… It’s been a long journey…
============

4%       Excerpts from Carrie’s “Note to Self” –
 
Dear Self,
 
It’s been a long journey leading up to this day, a long road of” when will he talk and why doesn’t he recognize me?”.  A long two years of tantrums, heartache, and the eerie quiet of a toddler who doesn’t speak.
 
He will surprise you every single day. You have some very long days ahead of you.
 
5%       You are going to question your decisions.
 
It is essential to have mental and emotional breaks – otherwise autism will consume you altogether.
 
As you open your mind to autism, you’ll start to understand what it all means to him.
 
Your idea of a hero will change dramatically.
 
You will find new ways to channel your stress, things like running a marathon, and writing, and yoga.
 
He will teach you to see days as colors.
 
< My Thoughts >      “…He will teach you to see days as colors.”

Gholipour (2013), educates us about seeing colors. “‘Synesthesia’ appears in 19% of people with autism.  People with autism report high levels of sensory hypersensitivity.  A form of ‘synesthesia’ reported was that  tastes, touch, or smells trigger a visual experience of color.”